This Tidal Wave Silver petunia is 3 feet in diameter with height of 12 inches. It provides plenty of color during both daytime and evening. No deadheading is required.

Written by

Richard Poffenbaugh
News Journal columnist

Now is the time to consider choices for annual flower beds be they large or small, something new or a repeat selection and, of course, color combinations. Another important consideration is the maintenance required. While there is no such plant as totally maintenance-free, there are some that require very little.

While perennials continue to grow in popularity, annuals remain the better choice for continuous masses of color throughout the growing season. Deadheading continues to be a weekly or biweekly practice. This is the removal of dead or spent blooms from each plant. Nothing looks ...